The Washington critic., 1887-12-12
NOW IL ENi.k.

The New York sun of Yesterday urges
in strong terms and the best of grammar
that the ''taxation controversy" prccip-
i,atod by the late Message of the Presi-
dent to Congress, he taken "out from
among the questions to be decided next
year by settling 1t now in II way that
will he satisfactory" especially to the
Democracy of New York, New Jersey
and Connecticut.
II fears that if the battle is to be fought
out during the Presidential canvass upon
the lines indicated by Mr.. Cleve-
land the advantages and the
probability of victory in the three
States named would be on the Republic
can side.
Whether the nervous apprehcnsions
of the sun are fully warranted or not, it
is the part Of wisdom TO bear in mind
tha; the political margins in New York,
New jersey and Connecticut are too mar
row for any party TO triflc with, and
there is danger that our revenue reform
friends. in the enthusiasm of the mo-
mont, may construc the energetic and
incisive pronouncemcnt of the President
as a sure presage of victory when in re-
ality it projects into the contest an ele-
ment of doubt.
So long rs the fight has to be made, it
ought to be made and finished this
winter.
If the Democratic party goes before
the country with an accomplished act of
revenue reform legislation, or even the
passage by the House of Representa-
tives of wise and reasonable tariff bill,
here can be little question as to the
outcome. But to go before the people,
,ot with something done, but with n
mere platform promise that something
nobody can exactly tell what-must
and shall be done, will seriously if not
fatally complicate the situation.
The SUMS idea is this, and it is most
forcibly stated: ....4,.
Abolish the surplus; first, by all possible re.
ductions In the internal taxation, and, secondly,
by changes In tho tariff which will diminish and
not increase the revenue, and will leave the
principle of protection IN full and unimpaired
yigor. Thus the issue so long and so keenly dc.
sired aud planned for by the Republican man
will be eliminated, and will no longer be there
10 form the turning point of next years election,
which will be then fought out other ques-
tons where tho Democracy will be heartily
united, und where the whole advantage will Id
OIL their side from the beginning to the end
Then follows an appeal TO Mr.. Carlisle
and Mr.. Randall, ''those great and pa
triotic leaders Of the two wings" to
leave nothing undonc that may restore
TO the Democracy the unity. the en-
ihusasm and the hope which but few
days since were theiis.'
Such is doubtless their intention; hut
only such intentions rs are clothed with
the strength and solcmnity of obliga.
iions will answer the demands of the
present emergency.
"GATiI" IN SOME cENsoRIoUs REMARK,
on the recent Democratic caucus nomi
hating officers of the House, mention.
the ''disgraccful conduct" churaoteriz
ing the meeting, calls attention to tn,
fight between two Congressman ant
then goes on to compare our manners
with those Of the Frenchmen, who Il
the same time in the midst Of II grea
crisis quietly and politely elected
President, and went smoothly on witt
the Government. Comparisons are Il
all times odous, but in this case part
culariy 50, because il two French states
men had come to blows the whole Natio
would have taken sides and bloodshe
and ruin would have been the order i
France, whereas in this country we lc
the boys fight it ont, and 90 ahead a
tending TO our business as II nothing hu
happened other than small row in
back alley, which the Police Court woul
settle in the morning if the policema
on that beat did his duty. That's th
kind Of people We are, Mr.. Gath.
JUDGE THoMAS's new paper, the AC
vance, published at Youngstown, Obi,
is large cight-column weekly, we
printed, and edited in the methodic;
and painstakine style that might be e'
pected of an ex-Civil Service Commi
sioncr. The Judge, like Mr.. Clevelant
believes in reduction Of the Treasur
surplus, but the following paragrap
reads like rather q left-handed con
pliment of the Message:
II Is not likely that Congress will be govern,
by the Presidents recommendations, for n
reason that it is difcult to obtain unit,
action on legislation which affects different i
terests throughout the country. The gener
welfare must conform to special interests, Is
rule which has adhered for many years, and II
not likely to be changed by the Fliteth Co
Hess.
THE Missouri Republican, under Il
recent reorganization, passes into Il
control of Charles W. Knapp as Pres
dent and General Manager of the Con
pany. Mr.. Knapp is the son of Colon
John Knapp, one of the original pr
prietors and principal stockholders, an
for several years past has been Il
Washington correspondent of the papo
He is Il man of experience in the bus
ness, of great energy and large know
edge Of public affairs, and it is bellev,
by the friends of the Republican tn